The devastating tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, poses significant challenges to South African farmers, particularly in the regions of Limpopo, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. Since its detection in the country in late 2016, this invasive insect from South America has caused considerable crop damage, leaving farmers scrambling for solutions.
Blessing Mphahlele, an entomologist and PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, provides research-based tips to effectively manage the tomato leaf miner while promoting sustainable farming practices.
Combining control methods for maximum impact
Mphahlele stresses that biological and chemical control methods should not be viewed as alternatives but rather used together.
"IPM encourages combining control methods to enhance their effectiveness. This holistic approach safeguards the environment and promotes human health," Mphahlele says.
Mechanical control: Regularly remove and destroy infested leaves to reduce populations of the tomato leaf miner.
Cultural control: Rotate crops and implement intercropping strategies to disrupt the breeding cycles of the tomato leaf miner.
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